News Notes: March 5, 2023

Bridge Work: The Maine Department of Transportation has an “On Demand Preliminary Public Meeting” available on its website where you can view a video and other information about proposed improvements to the Powers Bridge, which carries Route 4 across the Mousam River. The two options being considered are rehabilitating the bridge or replacing it entirely. Register to view the presentation and leave comments here: https://my.mainedotpima.com/public/event-registration/search?project_id=15873&pe_guid=3d37119b-fc14-466f-b0b4-f289e05ef3c3. There will be an On Demand Formal Public Meeting over the summer, with the work scheduled to be done in 2024. The condition of the bridge qualifies it for federal and state repair or replacement funding.

Officer Michael “Tipper” Thornton has retired from the Sanford Police Department after 36 years of service to the City. Many in Sanford will remember him as the School Resource Officer at Sanford Junior High. He was also one of the founders of the Police Cadet program at Sanford High School. At his retirement ceremony, he was commended for being a mentor to youth and building a positive relationship between the SPD and the School Department. He heads back to school now, as an instructor in the Law Enforcement program at Sanford Regional Technical Center.

Sanford in the news: Read this story (or watch the video) from WGME about the wonderful work done by Grahamtastic Connection: Maine non-profit helps connect kids battling life-threatening illnesses with world.

Congratulations to the Sanford Elks Lodge for winning Maine State Ritual Champions once again in 2023! Next stop: the Elks National Convention this summer in Minneapolis, MN.

The Kiwanis Club’s Toss for a Cause Tournament has been postponed to April 8th due to the storm this weekend. If you have already signed up, an email was sent out so please be on the lookout for instructions in the email for the new date. For those of you who may have missed out because this weekend didn’t work for your schedule, you are in luck! Sign ups are back open here.

Nasson Youth Theater’s Two Acts of Spring: Hoodie & Knock Knock will be performed March 31 through April 2 at the Nasson Little Theatre. Get your tickets at nassonevents.ticketleap.com.

Read all about it: The latest issue of the City of Sanford’s Main Street Memo is out now. Read it here. The most recent edition of the School Department’s newsletter, the Sanford Spotlight, may be viewed here.

The City of Sanford now has a Tik Tok channel. The first video features the Sanford Fire Department’s Rapid Intervention Training. View it here: https://www.tiktok.com/@cityofsanford/video/7203438811962035499?_r=1&_t=8aKCYSjdqeI. You can view the video without signing up for Tik Tok.

Ready to start your spring cleaning? The VFW Post 9935 Auxiliary is hosting an indoor yard sale on March 25 at the post on 1 Hutchinson St. There will be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle as well. Table rental is $20 – call 207-324-1142 to reserve yours.

St. Polycarp of Smyrna Orthodox Mission will welcome Metropolitan Nicholas, Ruling Bishop of Eastern North America and New York, to the Mission at 13 Hewey St. on Tuesday, March 7, for the annual altar feast. For more info, visit stpolycarp.net or facebook.com/saintpolycarp.

Crime Watch:

• Deputy Jason Solomon of the York County Sheriff’s Department was conducting an investigation in Lebanon and encountered a construction trailer that had been stolen in Sanford. Deputy Solomon interviewed Andrew Hanson, 38, of Sanford and as a result of that interview, Hanson was arrested for Receiving Stolen Property class “C” The trailer and all of the construction tools (still inside) have an estimated value of $15,000. Additional charges including bail violations, firearms violations and other theft charges are anticipated. Hanson is being held at the York County Jail without bail.
• On February 28, Sanford Police and members of the Sanford Fire Department responded to 16 Pinewood Dr. for a report of a stabbing. Contact was made with a male victim, age 40, who had been stabbed in the leg. The victim was stabilized and transported by Sanford Ambulance and listed in stable but serious condition. The male suspect, Bryce Tippett, age 18 from Sanford was arrested on scene and charged with elevated aggravated assault, He was transported to York County Jail where he is being held without bail.

Snow Time Like the Present: Don’t forget Goodall Library has sleds you can check out with your library card, and Springvale Library has snowshoes!

The Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation is providing tool kits for each student in the Electrical Wiring program at SRTC, thanks to a grant from Wakita Electric of Shapleigh. Read more in this month’s Legacy Minute: https://www.sanfordschoolslegacyfoundation.org/_files/ugd/ab5ca5_93073066707c4fd39d9a6705421fe362.pdf.

Join the Sanford Music Boosters March 14th at 7:00 pm at SPAC for the 35th Annual Bandfest! This concert showcases every band student in Sanford schools from 5th to 12th grade! It’s amazing to see the progress of students as they grow older.